Several thousand people demonstrated before the Parliament to protest against the grandiose tribute reserved for the former murdered Prime Minister, whose personality remains divisive in the archipelago.
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Important demonstrations have disrupted the unpopular national funeral organized on Tuesday, September 27, in honor of the former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, murdered on July 8 by a man who targeted him because of his proximity to The Moon sect.
Several thousand people gathered before the Parliament to protest against these funeral – the cost of which is estimated at 1.7 billion yen, or 12 million euros – granted to a leader who is far from unanimous . “Violations of the Constitution, scandals, historical revisionism, that was, the ABE administration”, Tonnée Shoichi Kondo, of the Constitutional Democratic Party (PDC, Opposition). Kazuo Shii, secretary general of the Japanese Communist Party, attacked the “attacks on democracy” of the government of Fumio Kishida, who imposed this tribute to the population. “Shinzo Abe’s policies have exacerbated inequalities,” said a demonstrator, while another castigated “the use of taxpayers’ money for this, while many Japanese are experiencing difficulties”.
The vigor of the rally reflects the discontent expressed since the announcement of the funeral by Mr. Kishida, who wanted to pay tribute to the Prime Minister having established the record of longevity in power and to salute his economic and diplomatic policies. Very quickly, the oppositions appeared, exacerbated by the revelations on the ancient ties of the Moon sect with the Abe family and the liberal democratic party (PLD, in power).
political calculations
Critics also focused on political calculations behind these funerals: Mr. Kishida wanted to please the most right -wing fringe of the PLD, of which Mr. Abe was the champion. The government’s popularity rating has nevertheless dropped to 29 %, according to a daily survey of Center left Mainichi. About 60 % of the population opposed the funeral and multiple actions were carried out to obtain their cancellation. A man even immolated himself, on September 21, near the Prime Minister’s offices in Tokyo. The movement continued on Tuesday with gatherings in Tokyo, as well as Sendai (northeast) or even Kyoto (west).
many people have nevertheless participated in the national tribute in honor of the former Prime Minister. Throughout the country, the flags were put at half mast on public buildings. The main ceremony took place at the Japanese Budokan, a martial arts center in the center of Tokyo, in the presence of 4,300 participants – 6,000 had been invited. Among them, the relatives of Mr. Abe, the Crown Prince, Akishino, the Prime Minister and personalities from the business world. Forty representatives of foreign states have also moved, including the American vice-president, Kamala Harris, and the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
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